Defy ban, make rally success: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has called for making the party's rally in Dhaka's Naya Paltan a success, although the event has been denied police permission.In a video message soon after the police refused clearance on Friday, she urged her party leaders and activists to join the rally "even if I am not there for some reason".“I am with you and will be with you always. You carry the movement, even if I am unable to be there (on Sunday).”Khaleda said, “I request you to congregate in front of BNP Naya Paltan office sporting the national flags on Dec 29 in a bid to establish democracy in the month of victory.“I hope you will join the Dhaka rally to protect democracy braving all obstacles.”Khaleda vowed to continue the agitation until the incumbent government was removed.The Leader of the Opposition had announced the ‘March for Democracy’ at a news conference on Tuesday after ending a spell of lengthy blockades.A day later, a three-member delegation, headed by her chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, submitted a letter to the DMP Chief Benazir Ahmed’s office on Wednesday, seeking permission for the programme.Tension is mounting following the announcement of the rally coming after a spell of relentless shutdowns, blockades and sabotage by the Opposition that killed over a hundred people.BNP leaders alleged the government was suspending all modes of transport to prevent party activists from joining the rally.Law enforcers have launched a countrywide drive to arrest ‘criminals’ ahead of national election.But BNP leaders alleged that their party activists were being arrested.The BNP Chief has urged the people to resist the Jan 5 elections, which she has decided to boycott, demanding a non-party caretaker regime for poll oversight.The elections are going to be held under an “all-party” government that the BNP has chosen not to join.Hours after her press briefing on Tuesday, a policeman was burnt alive in a bomb attack on a bus at Dhaka's Bangla Motor.Since then the police presence in front of Khaleda’s residence has been reinforced.Police also picked up several BNP leaders and supporters when they tried to enter her home.Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said "It has been decided not to allow the rally considering the risks to the security of the public."In the one-and-half-minute video message Khaleda Zia called on the people to say "no" to the ‘farcical election’ and "yes" to the election under a neutral government.“We have brought democracy to this country, we will bring it again. Inshallah, that day is not far away, our victory is guaranteed,” she said.